Cathay Cargo is gearing up for a significant expansion in capacity and specialist cargo handling, with the upcoming delivery of Airbus A350 freighters and a focus on perishables and intermodal logistics in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The Hong Kong-based carrier operates a fleet of 179 aircraft, including 20 Boeing 747 freighters, supported by ample belly capacity across its passenger fleet. While passenger aircraft provide flexibility, freighter capacity has remained constrained, prompting Cathay Cargo to invest in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft.
The airline ordered six A350Fs from Airbus in December 2023, with options for 20 additional units. The new freighters, slated for delivery from 2028 through 2029, will provide a payload of up to 111 tonnes and a range of 4,700 nautical miles, while reducing fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions by up to 40% compared to older freighters.
“We’ve got huge belly capacity, but only 20 freighters. The A350Fs will be transformational in terms of modernisation and growth,” said James Evans, General Manager, Cargo Commercial, Cathay Cargo.
The airline’s 747-400ERFs are approaching 20 years of service, while its 747-8Fs average just over a decade in age. The A350Fs will allow Cathay to maintain reliability on high-demand routes, particularly to the Americas, while enabling long-term network optimisation.
Strategic capacity management
Cathay Cargo has demonstrated agility in managing global capacity. During the pandemic, with passenger flights curtailed, its freighters became “workhorses,” sustaining operations and even flying cargo-only passenger services.
In 2025, the airline achieved a 9.4% year-on-year increase in volumes, driven by strong demand for specialist cargo and peak-season performance. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) remains central to Cathay Cargo’s operations, serving as a regional transshipment hub and gateway to the GBA.
“There are huge volumes and business out of the GBA. Hong Kong sits at the heart of that ecosystem,” Evans noted, highlighting the region’s production, export, and consumption markets.
Cathay currently holds 25–30% of total cargo capacity out of Hong Kong, benefiting from both local demand and transit flows from Southeast Asia, which has seen sustained double-digit growth in air cargo.
The airline maintains high freighter load factors on routes to the Americas, while remaining flexible to redeploy capacity to emerging opportunities, such as increased flights to Hanoi or Madrid during peak seasons.
Perishables and intermodal expansion
Fresh cargo is a key growth area for Cathay. The airline pioneered the Air-Land Fresh Lane, connecting Hong Kong to the GBA via temperature-controlled trucks with GPS tracking and accredited e-locks, all under a single air waybill.
“We see the air-land fresh lane as a major opportunity. The GBA is a significant consumption market, and we’re bullish on the potential,” Evans said.
Cathay has completed trial shipments of live lobsters and geoducks, while refining terminal handling, trucking integration, and cross-border logistics. The airline is also expanding intermodal network capacity to enhance connectivity between Hong Kong and the GBA.
Specialist cargo, including pharma and expert cargo, continues to drive volume growth, supported by enhanced handling processes and infrastructure.
Digitalisation driving efficiency
Cathay Cargo is at the forefront of digital transformation, adopting IATA ONE Record protocols to provide real-time visibility across the supply chain. Forwarders can now access electronic air waybill (eAWB) data, customs clearance updates, and shipment status through API integration.
“Digitalisation is critical for supporting intermodal services and specialist cargo. It reduces reliance on manual processes and enhances operational efficiency,” Evans explained.
The service initially covers customers on the EzyCargo platform and ONE Record API-linked forwarders, with broader rollout planned throughout 2026.
Outlook for 2026 and beyond
Looking forward, Cathay Cargo anticipates 5–7% growth in carrying capacity for 2026, primarily through passenger belly space, with the A350Fs forming a cornerstone of the airline’s long-term five-year growth strategy.
“Our focus is on optimising the capacity we have while preparing for the A350Fs. They are growth aircraft, and we are planning network and capacity strategies into the next decade,” Evans said.
With a combination of modern freighter capacity, intermodal solutions for perishables, digital visibility, and flexible network management, Cathay Cargo is positioning itself to capture demand across Asia, the GBA, and global trade lanes, maintaining its role as a leading hub carrier out of Hong Kong.
